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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The Twizy is a tiny 2 seat city car smaller than a Smart. I doubt the production car will have much in common with the concept. If it does it will be one of the most bizarre looking cars on the road. Top speed is 46mph and range is 60miles.

The second is an electric van based on the popular Kangoo. This won't be all that different then what Citroen did with the Berlingo although the advertised range is a better.

The Zoe is a 2 door coupe. Advertised range is 100 miles and top speed is 87mph.

Fluence is a 4 door family sedan. 100 mile range. A PV array in the roof powers the Air Conditioning. I doubt that will make it to the production version.

More later.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The Kangoo ZE van is based on the current production Kangoo Van. They've improved the aerodynamics and lowered the ride hight compared to the standard van. Also changes so it matches the rest of the ZE concept cars. I've included a photo of what the real production Kango electric is likely to look like. Charge time is 6 hours from a wall socket or 3 hours from a dedicated charger. There is also a 3 minute battery pack swap option. That is something a fleet operator could use.

Attached Thumbnails

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

Dealer said they retail for about £7,000. Price starts at £6,690 but the doors are £545 option. Batteries rent for £45/month.

Driving position isn't bad and visibility is very good. Seat is comfortable enough. The 'doors' swing up when open. Mechanism isn't bad. The doors don't have windows and the Twizy doesn't have heat either. Bring a parka and gloves. It will be cold in the winter.

There is a normal UK style power cord under a small hatch in the front. Twizy plugs into a standard 220V UK wall plug for charging.

While Renault calls it a two seater, the rear seat is almost useless. I can fit, but the rear passenger's legs go on either side of the front seat. Rear head room isn't great. The back is very uncomfortable and claustrophobic. There is a lockable storage compartment under and behind the rear seat. The seat itself it best used for a grocery bag or other small item.

The car feels plastic. The interior has to be splash proof since doors are an option on all trim levels. Even if you have them, they don't have windows. There is a lot of cheap plastic on the exterior too. A 4 year old Twizy probably won't look very good. On the other hand, the plastic trim parts could be cheap and easy to replace.

On a more positive note, the Electric Kangoo Van is now available too. I've asked for a brochure and a price list. The dealer says they have one in their network that can be reserved for test drives.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The van brochure I asked for showed up yesterday. It was nearly a year old and didn't even have photos of the production van. The price list did have real prices for the Fluence but not the van or Zoe. I put both in the trash.

The Van and Twizzy are available now. The first production Fluence should be here any day now. The production Zoe is due by the end of 2012.

Renault UK's website now lists prices and production specs for the Zoe.

On the road with tax prices for a Zoe start at £13,650 and a well equipped one will be about £15,000. Battery lease adds another £80/month. A Nissan Leaf, which shares much of the power train technology, starts at £25,990.

NEDC Range is 125miles. That means real world range is about 80-100 miles.

The Zoe will be the first Renault EV able to fast charge. If you can find a compatible fast charging station it will charge in 30 minutes.

The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

There is a normal UK style power cord under a small hatch in the front. Twizy plugs into a standard 220V UK wall plug for charging.

Turns out I wasn't exactly right about that. The plug looked like a normal plug to me, but the plug housing is larger than the UK standard. While the plug works with UK home outlets, it is too large to fit in most public charging stations.

The cord is coiled and users have had problems with the car unplugging itself during charging.

You'd think problems like these would have been caught in early testing.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

Yes but Renault also is the only major auto manufacturer to offer a full lineup of battery electric vehicles. They will have 5 models on sale by the end of the year.

I've only seen a Twizzy in person. I have no interest in test driving a Twizzy. One down four to go. I'm going to try and test drive a Kangoo Z.E. eventually. At the moment I'd have to be serious about getting one since the local dealer has to arrange to have a demonstrator transported here.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

Renault has presented the Vatican with two electric vehicles made especially to meet the mobility needs of the Pope. The vehicles were handed over on Wednesday, September 5, to His Holiness Benedict XVI by Renault's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn during a visit to the Pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

The first vehicle, for use when the Pope is travelling at his summer residence, is white with the Papal coat of arms depicted on the doors. It is an ecological, sustainable-development version of the Popemobile. Based on Kangoo Maxi Z.E., it measures 4.6 metres in length and 1.8 metres in width. It is powered by a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which ensures an average NEDC combined-cycle range of 170km.

The design of the other vehicle is very similar to that of the first, although its blue livery features a white and yellow stripe along each flank. It is for use by the Corps of Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City for the Pope's security.

The two cars were converted in association with the French constructor-coachbuilder Gruau. These special, exclusive vehicles can seat up to four people and are fitted with two particularly comfortable separate seats at the rear. Other specific solutions include an opening roof, removable rear side windows, hinged rear side doors and electrically folding door steps to facilitate ingress.

Attached Thumbnails

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

Good review and overview of the Kangoo Z.E. van from a leasing company:

and the "Autobahn" test

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

By June the Twizy had only been out for a couple of months. 57 might be one month's worth of deliveries for the Fluence.

45 Kangoo Z.E. vans in over a year? Not good.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

Kangoo Z.E. number 5000 rolled off the assembly line a few weeks ago. Nearly all of the van sales have been to the French government.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.